The Nick Rayns LCR, UEA, 29 Mar 2026
Celebrating 35 years of Pills 'N' Thrills and Bellyaches
Happy Mondays formed in 1980 in Salford, Greater Manchester. The original line-up comprised of Shaun Ryder on lead vocals, his brother Paul Ryder on bass, lead guitarist Mark Day, keyboardist Paul Davis and drummer Gary Whelan. Mark ‘Bez’ Berry later joined the band onstage during a live performance after befriending Shaun Ryder and became the band’s dancer and percussionist. Rowetta then joined the band to provide vocals in 1990.
‘Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches’ went platinum in the UK, selling more than 350,000 copies, and put the band firmly on the map as one of the most influential bands to come out of the UK in the early 1990s. Two singles from the album, ‘Step On’ and ‘Kinky Afro’, both reached number 5 in the UK singles chart.
By the late 1980s the Happy Mondays were an important part of the Manchester music scene. Numerous world tours meant the band had international success as well as massive success in their home country.
Live music venue and nightclub situated in on the campus of the University of East Anglia and run by the Union of UEA students.
Union House, Norwich, NR4 7TJ
01603 593 272 / boxoffice@uea.ac.uk